Risk based reduction of microbial pollution discharge to coastal waters

Thirteen percent of Europe’s coastal bathing waters do not meet the standards set by 76/160/EEC Bathing Water Directive. In France, 20 % of bathing waters are expected to be non-compliant, if no action is taken. Pollution mostly comes from particular (rather than diffuse) sources and domestic wastewater.
Tourism and the demographic pressure in coastal areas are increasing the difficulty of reducing pollution, while at the same time setting higher expectations for clean waters.
Conventional solutions for the management of faecal pollution in domestic effluents enable good performance in dry weather conditions, but fail to manage efficiently the flow rates generated by heavy rainfall. In rural areas, the sizes of the sewerage systems present additional difficulties.
The project site covers 1% of the French coasts. It includes 38 registered bathing locations and 15 production areas for mussels and oysters, including the largest site in France. On some days, more than 10,000 persons practice recreational shellfish harvesting on the tideland.

Project number

LIFE06 ENV/F/000136

Subject(s)

ANALYSIS AND TESTS , CHARACTERISTICAL PARAMETERS OF WATERS AND SLUDGES , HEALTH - HYGIENE - PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISM , MEASUREMENTS AND INSTRUMENTATION , NATURAL MEDIUM , PREVENTION AND NUISANCES POLLUTION , RIGHT , RISKS AND CLIMATOLOGY , WATER QUALITY

Acronym

Mareclean

Geographical coverage

Netherlands, France

Budget (in €)

1569358

Programme

EU-LIFE

Web site

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.createPage&s_ref=LIFE06%20ENV/F/000136&area=2&yr=2006&n_proj_id=3104&cfid=62569&cftoken=511c4b42bd64795f-D86D9706-9B91-FB48-4A8BFBB24801D96D&mode=print&menu=false

Objectives

The project covers the management and treatment of wastewater discharged to the sea and aims to prevent infectious diseases. The microbial seawater quality plays a key role in the sustainable development of costal areas. For the 40 km of coast covered, the project should immediately result in a 20 % reduction of point source pollution rising to 70 % with the application of the long-term plan

Objectives for improving the state of the local environment:
•      Reduce the number of bathing sites rated “sufficient” according to the Bathing
        Water Directive from 5 to 2 areas and those rated “insufficient” from 3 to 0.
•      Upgrade the mussels/oysters production area rated “D” to “C”, and to improve
        another rated “B” to “A”. After the completion of the objectives there will be 5
        zones rated “A”, 6 zones rated “B” and 1 in “C”.

The project aims to further integrate pollution management into development plans. This will yield long-term economic benefits and avoid conflicts surrounding responsibility for pollution.

At an EU level, the MARECLEAN method will be available for conducting the risk assessment of faecal pollution in coastal areas, creating a local consensus on solutions and optimising environmental and economical benefits.
It will be transferable to the 20 coastal states of the European Union, especially those that border the Atlantic and North Sea. The project will also add to knowledge of faecal pollution transfer.

Results

Target Community Legislative Reference


	Water
	Directive 91/271/EC - "Urban waste water treatment" (21.05.91)
	Directive 2000/60/EC - "Framework for Community action in the field of water policy" (23.10.00)
	Directive 76/160/EEC - "Quality of bathing water" (08.12.75)

Period

[01/10/2006 - 30/09/2009]

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